MPs endorse amendment extending paid childcare free time to two years

The National Development and Heritage Committee has approved an amendment to the Employment Act to extend the daily free‑time allowance granted to civil servants who are parents of newborns.

The amendment, proposed by PNC MP for Madaveli Mohamed Shameez, would allow government employees to take 30 minutes of paid free time twice a day for two years after returning from maternity leave.

Under the current law, parents are entitled to the same allowance only until the child turns one. The proposed change effectively doubles the duration of this benefit.

According to the bill, the free‑time allowance is intended to help parents attend to childcare needs without any deduction from their salary.

The committee approved the amendment unanimously during its meeting on Thursday. The bill will now move forward in the legislative process.